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From Our Editors

Although Esther's Follies' variety show of music, magic, and comedy recalls the vaudevillian entertainment of yesteryear (albeit with a more acerbic modern bent), the nostalgia goes beyond just the performances. The longstanding venue and comedy troupe was named after Esther Williams, the Golden Age starlet whose career as a professional swimmer led to numerous iconic MGM films. Posters for several of these pictures are plastered throughout the space, and an undersea mural bustling with brightly-hued coral, kaleidoscopic marine life, and even a Loch Ness monster further contributes to Esther's otherworldly, aquatic theme. The magical environment, along with the shows themselves, have wowed audiences and Austin Chronicle critics alike.

On the production end, Esther's Follies busts guts in record speed with satirical quips on current events; relevant parodies; and high-stepping, fast-paced comedy sketches. Resident magician Ray Anderson keeps things light with levitation illusions known to dazzle crowds. As the Follies cast ignites into choral skewerings of front-page newsmakers, audiences will laugh so hard that giggles come out their noses.

Groupon Guide

There's definitely an art to crafting the perfect cocktail. The following five are our favorites to get perfection in a glass.
Whisler’s - After decades of serving beer to locals; the old Rabbit’s Lounge finally closed down, and Whisler’s had the task of coming into the space and making what was old, new again. The building still has the rustic feel of the old venue, but now serves up classic craft cocktails to patrons. The bartenders here are truly mixologists, carefully creating every drink with precise attention to detail. I would recommend the Dealers’ Choice – a cocktail created just for you based on a series of questions asked by the bartender. You never know what you are going to get, but you won’t be disappointed.
Eastside Showroom - You never forget your first. I had my first Sazerac and the first of many other craft cocktails at this little spot on East 6th Street. Both food and drink are priced on the high end, but the quality is reflected. They often run old-timey movies on the wall, or you might be treated to a live ballad on the classic piano that sits in a corner of the lounge area. When the weather is nice, there's also an intimate little patio out back.
La Condesa - Best Happy Hour in the city, hands down. Unlike the other places on this list, La Condesa's bar menu is more tequila forward. Specialty drinks are half-price during happy hour, as are many of the appetizers. This is the first place I send out-of-towners, as it's unlikely they've seen anything like it before. If you plan on going for happy hour, get there within a few minutes of 4pm as the bar area fills up quickly.
Midnight Cowboy - This may be Austin's best kept secret. From the mind behind Alamo Drafthouse comes a gem hidden in the middle of "dirty" Sixth Street. Reservations are required, and you'll be given secret instructions on how to gain entry. Identified only by a red porch light out front, finding the venue is part of the adventure! Once inside, you feel like you're in a speakeasy from the 1920's. The drinks are exceptional, the bartenders are beyond knowledgeable, and the drink menu is expansive. Try at least one of the table-side prepared cocktails, and keep in mind that there is a two-drink minimum per person.
Weather Up – Weather Up came to Austin after much success in New York City, and hit Austin’s Eastside with bang. The ambiance feels as if it's from the 1920’s, with its white subway tile and retro vibe. The cocktail menu changes seasonally, but the content is consistently exceptional. They're all handmade from scratch, right down to the ice, that is picked and chipped right in front of you. Be prepared to pony up about $10.00 a cocktail.

You’ve seen them. A group of women, clad in customized pink T-shirts, parades down Sixth Street, proudly proclaiming their purpose. One is wearing a “Bride to Be” sash or, better yet, a veil. It happens every night of the weekend (and sometimes weekdays) on our beloved Sixth. All well and good—if your main goal is to not remember a single event of your precious last hurrah.
But if Sixth just isn���t your style and you’re looking for something less debaucherous, Austin has plenty more to offer. Here’s what else you can do to say goodbye to singlehood.
Pamper Yourself
If a fancy getaway is your idea of a great bachelorette weekend, treat your bridal crew to a weekend of pampering and fun at Travaasa Austin Spa & Resort. Its location in the Texas Hill Country and spectacular views of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve will make you feel hundreds of miles away, even if you’re just down the road.
Once you and your girls have unwound with spa treatments like the avocado body wrap and the aquatic massage, it’s time to sign up for one of Travaasa Austin’s “experiences.” You might end up making gluten-free bánh mì during a group cooking demo or scrambling across an outdoor obstacle course that culminates in a 250-foot zipline flight. No matter what, you’re bound to have a bonding experience.
Escape the Stress
The stress of planning a wedding can turn any blushing bride into the Bride of Frankenstein. If you and your closest pals are in dire need of a mental cleansing, head out west of Austin to Living Waters on Lake Travis.
Yoga is the focus at this quiet retreat. The basic group package includes a private yoga class in a style of your choosing, from familiar vinyasa and hatha sessions to a Thai yoga class that covers how to give (and receive!) a Thai massage.
Even when you’re not meditating in an outdoor yoga class, you’ll be finding other ways to relax. Walk over to the nearby Stone House Vineyard for a group wine tasting (also included in the basic group package), or go for a dip in the lake. Better yet, take a peaceful stroll down a winding walking trail. Afterward, you can retire to one of the retreat’s funky, colorful eco-cabins, designed to minimize their impact on the environment.
Party—But Keep It Classy
Just because you’re partying doesn’t mean you have to lose your mind. For a night of low-key, classy bar crawling, head out to local favorite Rainey Street.
Though bars line the street, their generally casual feel—not to mention their emphasis on craft cocktails and brews—makes for a more mellow night. You can lounge and sip excellent cocktails at icenhauer’s (pictured above), play a round or two of giant Jenga on the patio at Bar 96, or grab some delicious late-night food at the Rainey Street Food Truck Park.
Because the area is so rich in options, you and your bridesmaids can hop from bar to bar without ever getting into a cab. Yet you’re still not likely to run into the infamous characters that Sixth Street is known for. No matter your style, Rainey has something for everyone in your group—or at least something for each bridesmaid to share during the recap at brunch the next morning.
Got the bachelorette party settled but still stumped on the honeymoon? Check out Groupon’s deals on romantic getaways for ideas.
Images courtesy of Travaasa Austin and icenhauer's.

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